Playing cricket in Pakistan for foreigners constitutes an unacceptably high security risk, says FICA

Fans of Pakistan's cricket team cheer in the stands before Pakistan's Cricket World Cup match against India in Adelaide, February 15, 2015. REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: SPORT CRICKET)

After Najam Sethi announced on Wednesday during PSL Draft 2017 that the final of the second edition of PSL will be played in Lahore, Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) stated on Thursday that the security risk of international teams in Pakistan is still too high as per neutral security consultants.

Tony Irish, the chief executive of FICA told ESPNCricinfo, “The consistent advice we have received from independent security consultants over the last few years is that playing cricket in Pakistan for foreign teams and players constitutes an unacceptably high security risk.”

He added, “Although we are sure that PSL and Pakistan Cricket Board would do their very best to implement security plans, the advice of our consultants is also that this risk is unmanageable in the current environment.”

However, as players have to participate in the league individually, thus it will be their sole decision to travel there or not. But, FICA’s duty is to advise them

“FICA has a duty to relay that advice to players and, given that players are participating as individuals in PSL and they are not participating as part of a touring foreign team, it will be up to each individual player to decide whether or not to take that advice,” he said.

Still, Irish showed his concern regarding absence of international cricket from Pakistan, “We understand how much people want to see foreign teams and players playing in Pakistan and therefore sympathise with cricket lovers and fans in the country. We hope that normal cricket will return to Pakistan as soon as it is safe to play there.”

Najam Sethi earlier stated that they have added a clause in players’ contract that they will have to play the final of the league in Pakistan if their respective team qualifies for the ultimate stage.

However, a source from PSL team told ESPNCricinfo that there will be no pressure on international players to come and play the final of the PSL in Pakistan.